Using computational tools to find existing drugs for Alzheimer's and related dementias
Harnessing Diverse Bioinformatic Approaches To Repurpose Drugs For Alzheimers Disease And Related Dementias
This project uses computer analysis of brain molecular data, lab tests in human brain cells, and electronic health records to find approved drugs that might help people with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11384190 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze genomes, RNA, and protein patterns from brains with Alzheimer's to identify pathways linked to disease at different stages. They will test how existing kinase inhibitors affect human neurons and support cells using RNA sequencing, proteomics, and imaging. The team will apply causal inference methods to electronic health records to emulate clinical trials and prioritize promising drug candidates. By combining these approaches, they aim to repurpose FDA-approved medicines for faster testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, and those willing to share medical records or donate brain/blood samples, are the kinds of patients who could participate or be relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's-type dementia or those needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify already-approved drugs that slow or modify Alzheimer's progression, potentially speeding access to new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior computational repurposing and EHR-based analyses have suggested candidate drugs but few have yet translated into proven Alzheimer's treatments, so this approach is promising but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Albers, Mark W — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Albers, Mark W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.